2011 NFL Mock Draft: A Pick-By-Pick, 2 Round Preview of the AFC North

The NFL draft is a time of renewed spirit and high interest for NFL fans of every team around the league. In the months leading up to the big day, many writers will speculate on who their favorite teams will target and what kind of impact they can expect to see out of their newly acquired players.

In this article, I will break down the top two potential draft picks for every team in the AFC north and what each team can expect to see out of those players.

Cincinnati Bengals Round 1, 4th Overall: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

The Bengals will be the first AFC North team to be on the clock in 2011 (subject to change with trades) and will not disappoint their fans with Da'Quan Bowers.

Bowers is a physical freak of nature and can provide a key piece to a defense that struggled in 2010.

Bowers would fit well into the Bengals' defensive scheme, as he would more than likely take the place of third year veteran, Antwan Odom, who has been sidelined most of the last two seasons with injuries.

Many mock draft experts look for Cincinnati to take a wide receiver with this pick in the first round but if A.J. Green is off the board, you can expect the Bengals to look defense or trade down.

Cleveland Browns Round 1, 6th Overall: Trade Down

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The Cleveland Browns need to keep drafting well in order to keep their hopes at building a strong franchise alive. With a new head coach in place, it is important for the Browns to acquire players and I think that they will have that chance in the first round.

The trade is as follows: Cleveland Browns trade first round pick (sixth overall) to Houston Texans for first round (11th overall) and third round (73rd overall) selections.

Houston's defense is now under new management with Wade Phillips at the helm and the team will be making a shift to the 3-4. I think Houston will take the chance to move up and get a play-maker with:

The Baltimore Ravens have shown in their recent draft trends that they like to draft defense and look for offense in free agency. I feel like this trend will continue when they take defensive end, Justin Houston, 28th overall.

Houston is a versatile defender with the option to play at either outside linebacker or defensive end.

Although he has built himself up into top 25 consideration, Houston will more than likely fall right into the Ravens laps as teams will look more towards pure defensive ends in the first round.

Houston compiled 11 sacks in 2010 which makes him a consistent pass rushing threat and would be a perfect addition to a strong defensive line.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will look to solidify the offensive line as they take Pouncey late in the first round.

Pouncey will join his brother, Maurkice, on an offensive line that was plagued by injury in 2010 and will more than likely be adding more than one fresh face.

The Steelers are heavy into protecting Ben Roethlisberger and focus much of their offense based off a strong rushing attack. Those reasons both play into why Pittsburgh will look to the offensive line with their first selection.